My Hinge Health Member Story: Jeff

Hinge Health is a new kind of digital clinic for joint and muscle pain — one built around members, their lives, and their needs. And it’s backed by life-changing outcomes and real savings.

Here, meet Hinge Health member Jeff, who struggled with ongoing knee pain. In this video and interview, Jeff shares how exercise therapy and Enso have helped him do the activities he loves with less pain. 

Learn more here about how Hinge Health can help your organization or to request a demo.

Jeff, an architect of 45 years who is now retired, has always been active. A former high school athlete, Jeff stayed engaged in recreational sports well into adulthood. But as the years passed, aches and pains accumulated, eventually leading to severe pain in his left knee and the need for knee replacement surgery.

Physical therapy after surgery helped, but Jeff wasn’t ready to stop going after his insurance ran out. “I needed something to help me continue to get stronger and reduce pain,” Jeff says. This drive to continue improving led him to Hinge Health.

The Next Step in Healing

Hinge Health’s flexibility and focus on gradual progress has made it a great fit for Jeff’s recovery. “It felt like a relay race,” he says. “Physical therapy handed off the baton to Hinge Health, which helped me continue to make progress.” 

Jeff has not only improved his knee strength, but addressed other painful areas like his back and elbow. “The exercises are simple and easy to fit into my day — some sessions last just 10 minutes. And over time, that has allowed me to address the issues of pain, strength, and flexibility,” he explains. 

A Game-Changing Addition: Enso

A pivotal addition to Jeff’s Hinge Health program was Enso, a wearable pain relief device that uses gentle electrical nerve stimulation. “The first time I used it was on my upper back after injuring myself shoveling snow,” Jeff recalls. “Within minutes, I felt relief.” 

Jeff appreciates the flexibility of Enso’s different waveforms. He uses deeper pulses for larger muscle groups, like his lower back, and lighter pulses for smaller areas, like his elbow. “With Enso, I can control the level [of stimulation] I need — it’s not just something off the shelf.”

He also feels that using Enso in conjunction with exercise therapy has enhanced his progress. “Once I started the exercise therapy, I really turned the corner and Enso just sealed the deal. The two together gave me what I needed to move forward.”

Now, Enso is a crucial part of many of Jeff's everyday activities. “I put it on prior to gardening, doing woodworking, fishing, or painting. All those activities can cause some tension in my elbow. Enso just helps prepare my elbow for those things, and it also helps me recover afterward.” 

Looking Ahead 

Once limited by pain, stiffness, and restricted movement, Jeff is much more active now. “I’ve earned this time in my retirement to do the things I enjoy, and now I can actually do them,” he says. Whether it’s gardening, fishing, or simply spending time with family, he can fully embrace the life he worked so hard to build. “I’m able to do things that I’ve always wanted to do, and I can do them pain free. And that’s a blessing.”